forty_five_packer
New member
Simmons Scopes what do you think of them yah /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif or nay /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif give me your feed back and the story behind it.
Simmons Scopes: What say you? Yah or Nay
- Thread starter forty_five_packer
- Start date
IDBob
New member
I've got several and the ones I like are the 2.8 to 10 AETEC models. One is on a Rem 8mm mag and has been for three years with no problems. One is on my Remington 280 Mountain rifle. I've got a couple of others, the cheapie ones and there optics worth the hundred or under hundred buck price tag.
Here's where the rub comes in. Meade Optics purchased Weaver, Simmons and Redfield from Blount (CCI/Speer) when Alliant bought Blount out.
Meade makes lots of low end optics and I had quite a go round getting a Weaver scope fixed/replaced that were warrenteed and I've had several folks tell me the same story about having the same problem with Simmons.
The AETEC scopes are some of the best optics for under two hundred buck scopes I've looked at, but If I was ask to advise a person about buying a new scope I would first suggest the Leupold low priced scopes simply because not only are they good optics, but they have the best warrentee in the business.
Here's where the rub comes in. Meade Optics purchased Weaver, Simmons and Redfield from Blount (CCI/Speer) when Alliant bought Blount out.
Meade makes lots of low end optics and I had quite a go round getting a Weaver scope fixed/replaced that were warrenteed and I've had several folks tell me the same story about having the same problem with Simmons.
The AETEC scopes are some of the best optics for under two hundred buck scopes I've looked at, but If I was ask to advise a person about buying a new scope I would first suggest the Leupold low priced scopes simply because not only are they good optics, but they have the best warrentee in the business.
stiff neck
New member
I have an Aetec 4-12x44 and have never had any problems with it after 4 years of abuse on a hunting 223. Never changed zero on me yet. It's not the best as far as quality glass goes, but it's a good deal for $175. I'd buy another one if I was limited to a $200 budget.
Beware that Simmons also makes a lot of low budget crap optics for under $50-%100. Stay away from that stuff. But the Aetec is good for the price.
Beware that Simmons also makes a lot of low budget crap optics for under $50-%100. Stay away from that stuff. But the Aetec is good for the price.
Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
A use to have one and my friend bought one as well. It was about 8 years ago now but if I remember they were around 6x18 power. I bouth my sale priced around $89 that listed for $169 for mine and my buddy paid around the same. Both were the foggiest POS optics I have ever seen. I'm sure there top of the line optics are decent but I would be afraid to try anything but the atec and after looking though a lot of them at the local retailer I would shoot open sight before I would own one again. If your looking for cheap, Tasco is a lot clearer. No offence to the guys who like them but thats my 2 cents on them.
CalCoyote
Member
Here are my expieriences:
First The Good:
My cousin and his son both own Weatherby 300 magnums. They have used the 4.5 x 14 scope for years and never had any problem with the zero being knocked off by the recoil. So, if a 300 mag won't knock it off it is probably pretty stable.
Now The Not So Good:
Upon their recomendation I put one my new 223 I purchased last year. When I took it to the shooting range I discovered that a small bullseye blurs at 100 yards. The scope picture just was not as clear as you would like. The scope picture is fine for hunting medium to large game (coyote and deer), but inadaquate for small targets at long range. Also, the light gathering qualities were inferior to other scopes I have used. Not a good scope for early morning or dusky evening shots.
For almost the same price as the Simmons you can get the Nikon Prostaff ($149 at Cabelas 3x9 40m), or Nikon Buckmaster ($199 at Cabelas). These are cheaper in price than the Leupold but have the same lifetime warranty and a better lens than the Simmons.
Unless Tasco has made BIG improvements in the last few years I would stay away from these as well. The glass is clear, but they do not hold their zero on heavier recoil rifles. My Dad lost a great antelope in California and a tremendous 4x4 mulie in Nevada due to the Tasco on his 30/06. Thankfully he lives in California and someone broke in and stole the 30/06 with the Tasco. Now he shoots a different 30/06 with a Luepold and has had much better luck drawing blood.
First The Good:
My cousin and his son both own Weatherby 300 magnums. They have used the 4.5 x 14 scope for years and never had any problem with the zero being knocked off by the recoil. So, if a 300 mag won't knock it off it is probably pretty stable.
Now The Not So Good:
Upon their recomendation I put one my new 223 I purchased last year. When I took it to the shooting range I discovered that a small bullseye blurs at 100 yards. The scope picture just was not as clear as you would like. The scope picture is fine for hunting medium to large game (coyote and deer), but inadaquate for small targets at long range. Also, the light gathering qualities were inferior to other scopes I have used. Not a good scope for early morning or dusky evening shots.
For almost the same price as the Simmons you can get the Nikon Prostaff ($149 at Cabelas 3x9 40m), or Nikon Buckmaster ($199 at Cabelas). These are cheaper in price than the Leupold but have the same lifetime warranty and a better lens than the Simmons.
Unless Tasco has made BIG improvements in the last few years I would stay away from these as well. The glass is clear, but they do not hold their zero on heavier recoil rifles. My Dad lost a great antelope in California and a tremendous 4x4 mulie in Nevada due to the Tasco on his 30/06. Thankfully he lives in California and someone broke in and stole the 30/06 with the Tasco. Now he shoots a different 30/06 with a Luepold and has had much better luck drawing blood.
A friend gave me one of the Simmions 44 mags He had on a 280. He thought it was crap and said I could put it on a 22. I did and it didn't stay there very long.
When a scope company put out $50 piece of crap low end scope,and buying one of their moderate scope is a crap shoot. That just shows me that they could care less about a quaility product. And it even make me leary of there high end scopes.
I vote........NAY!!!!
When a scope company put out $50 piece of crap low end scope,and buying one of their moderate scope is a crap shoot. That just shows me that they could care less about a quaility product. And it even make me leary of there high end scopes.
I vote........NAY!!!!
IDBob
New member
I'll throw in a plus side for the Simmons AETEC models. Before I retired I drove long haul truck. I had the chance to stop a Cabela's about once a week and just got to roam their store for a few hours each time.
At the time I was looking for a scope for my 8mm Rem mag. I used to use nothing but Leupolds til they about priced myself out of my market.
I figured there had to be a good piece of optics out there for under that 200 dollar mark. When I stopped at Sidney NE I spent some time at their scope counter. They had just about everything on the market and a nice try stock to check them out on.
I guess I shop a little differently for a scope than some. I hunt here in Idaho where you can literally walk into an elk in the thick stuff or have a 500 yard plus across the canyon shot. I look for a variable with a good field of view that is also bright enough that it will work at dusk and dawn. I like a top end power of at least seven.
I looked thru scope after scope comparing all the less expensive scopes with the Leupold's and German scopes and the top end Japanese scopes.
The Simmons AETEC 2.8 to 10 with a 44 foot field of view and brightness from it's Aspheric ground lens was outstanding and for a scope that cost around $160 bucks at the time a real bargain. I ended up buying two new ones and those optics now four years or better old are still some of the best in the gunsafe.
One has been on several guns including my Ruger #1B in 243 and now my 280 Remington Mountain rifle. The other has graced my Remington Classic 8mm Rem mag. Neither has flinched or changed zero and are still two of the best scopes I own and that's compared to several Leupold scopes.
The only reason I would Hesitate to buy one now is because of Meade's ownership of the company. I think their top notch optics and a "real buy for the money", especially now that Meade has introduced some changes such as the tracking system for the cross hairs that make them even tougher than they were.
The big problem is when Blount owned them (the owners of RCBS) if you had a problem with them you sent it back and they fixed it. Now it appears that you have to dicker and nitpick with them to get a scope fixed or exchanged. They wanted to have me pay the shipping both ways for my Weaver Classic and another $75.00 for an exchange for a new one.
After two months of dickering and the threat to put their correspondence on several shooters forums read by thousands of hunting oriented folks they sent me a new scope. More I think to simply shut me up than to honor their warrentee on a brand new scope.
If I were looking for a new scope the Simmons AETEC would be on my list, but with Wally world selling Leupold I'd sure look their first simply because the Leupolds are excellent scopes and their repair replacement policies are the best on the market.
When I had my go-around with Weaver's Maintenance and repair department I was always nice with the folks I talked with and they had no problem letting me talk to the head of that department. He assured me that all the new Meade scope departments were trying to more closely follow Leupolds repair policies.
I really don't believe that considering the multitude of inexpensive scopes sold under the Simmons name that is going to happen. If they will replace a Weaver scope for 75 bucks you know that's what it cost to make that $200 dollar scope.
If you can buy the Simmons AETEC on sale, and there are some good sales out there for under a hundred and fifty then it's a good buy. Consider though that you can get a 3 by 9 Leupy at Wally world for under 200 any day of the week.
Here's my 2.8 to 10 compact mounted on a Rem 700 280 Mountain rifle in Leupold bases and rings. This is a potent lightweight package for both those long cross canyon shots and jumping a close in whitetail. Probably some of the best Optics I've used in 40 plus years of hunting. I'm sure sorry they were sold off by Blount.
Just in case your wondering I am an expert and have the picture to prove it. Oh I did run a small gunsmith shop for 27 years also building custom lightweight sheep rifles and Bear rifles for Alaska.
At the time I was looking for a scope for my 8mm Rem mag. I used to use nothing but Leupolds til they about priced myself out of my market.
I figured there had to be a good piece of optics out there for under that 200 dollar mark. When I stopped at Sidney NE I spent some time at their scope counter. They had just about everything on the market and a nice try stock to check them out on.
I guess I shop a little differently for a scope than some. I hunt here in Idaho where you can literally walk into an elk in the thick stuff or have a 500 yard plus across the canyon shot. I look for a variable with a good field of view that is also bright enough that it will work at dusk and dawn. I like a top end power of at least seven.
I looked thru scope after scope comparing all the less expensive scopes with the Leupold's and German scopes and the top end Japanese scopes.
The Simmons AETEC 2.8 to 10 with a 44 foot field of view and brightness from it's Aspheric ground lens was outstanding and for a scope that cost around $160 bucks at the time a real bargain. I ended up buying two new ones and those optics now four years or better old are still some of the best in the gunsafe.
One has been on several guns including my Ruger #1B in 243 and now my 280 Remington Mountain rifle. The other has graced my Remington Classic 8mm Rem mag. Neither has flinched or changed zero and are still two of the best scopes I own and that's compared to several Leupold scopes.
The only reason I would Hesitate to buy one now is because of Meade's ownership of the company. I think their top notch optics and a "real buy for the money", especially now that Meade has introduced some changes such as the tracking system for the cross hairs that make them even tougher than they were.
The big problem is when Blount owned them (the owners of RCBS) if you had a problem with them you sent it back and they fixed it. Now it appears that you have to dicker and nitpick with them to get a scope fixed or exchanged. They wanted to have me pay the shipping both ways for my Weaver Classic and another $75.00 for an exchange for a new one.
After two months of dickering and the threat to put their correspondence on several shooters forums read by thousands of hunting oriented folks they sent me a new scope. More I think to simply shut me up than to honor their warrentee on a brand new scope.
If I were looking for a new scope the Simmons AETEC would be on my list, but with Wally world selling Leupold I'd sure look their first simply because the Leupolds are excellent scopes and their repair replacement policies are the best on the market.
When I had my go-around with Weaver's Maintenance and repair department I was always nice with the folks I talked with and they had no problem letting me talk to the head of that department. He assured me that all the new Meade scope departments were trying to more closely follow Leupolds repair policies.
I really don't believe that considering the multitude of inexpensive scopes sold under the Simmons name that is going to happen. If they will replace a Weaver scope for 75 bucks you know that's what it cost to make that $200 dollar scope.
If you can buy the Simmons AETEC on sale, and there are some good sales out there for under a hundred and fifty then it's a good buy. Consider though that you can get a 3 by 9 Leupy at Wally world for under 200 any day of the week.
Here's my 2.8 to 10 compact mounted on a Rem 700 280 Mountain rifle in Leupold bases and rings. This is a potent lightweight package for both those long cross canyon shots and jumping a close in whitetail. Probably some of the best Optics I've used in 40 plus years of hunting. I'm sure sorry they were sold off by Blount.
Just in case your wondering I am an expert and have the picture to prove it. Oh I did run a small gunsmith shop for 27 years also building custom lightweight sheep rifles and Bear rifles for Alaska.
I have a Simmons Aetec in 2.8-10x44. I had it on a Browning .280 on a mule deer hunt in N.M.. The clearity was simply poor. My back-up rifle, a .300 Win. Mag. has a Leupold 3-9x40 VariX-II, and the difference was astonishing, of course the cost is higher for the Leupold but well worth it. I will not waste money on a cheap scope anymore.
stiff neck
New member
I always drive Mercedes. One year I bought a Honda because it looked good and was on sale. It didn't handle the corners very well and the quality of the interior just wasn't there. Also the stereo sucked. I'll never waste my money on a Honda again!
Stealth1959
New member
Nikon!
I have to go with IDBob on the Atec's. I have two and they have performed without flaw. I like them for night hunting hogs and coyotes in Texas. They have been on everything from 7 mags to Ar's and never a problem. Thats my experience and analysis of the Simmons cpes I've used.
My recomendation : buy Leupold. The warranty is excellent if needed and for the money the glass is hard to beat even in their low end scopes.
My recomendation : buy Leupold. The warranty is excellent if needed and for the money the glass is hard to beat even in their low end scopes.
Yea! With my standard disclaimer that I am old and just a trigger puller, I have five(5) Simmons WTC 6.5-20X w/50 AO that have served me well. Sell for $99 most places.. I have on rimfires including .17HMR for the most part with one on a Howa .243 bench rifle and have served me well. The objective is BIG..and some folks don't like the pebble granite finish.
Got some Muellers, Nikon Buckmasters and one Leupold. Even if I were younger, had fewer rifles to scope and money was no consideration I'd still feel the Whitetail Classics represent good value to me. As frequently noted..your mileage may vary.
Got some Muellers, Nikon Buckmasters and one Leupold. Even if I were younger, had fewer rifles to scope and money was no consideration I'd still feel the Whitetail Classics represent good value to me. As frequently noted..your mileage may vary.
Tarry
New member
I am using a $39 Simmon 4x Wally World special on my black powder rifle. I figured the first few shot would shake it to peices. I have been plesantly surprised.
The glass was clear and gathered light fine at all but the final minutes of dusk or earliest dawn. It has retained zero during despite numerous firing. More so it stayed on zero after I knocked it over and it landed square on the scope.
I think Simmon is fine if you are plinking or playing with a rimfire or the blackpowder as I am. The low price Simmons are fine for a fun, or non critical peice of equipment I have shot some rifles with Altec's on them and have really like the scope but I not going to put a $39 Simmons on my Ruger Mark II VT.
I guess the moral of the story is don't use a 99 cent masterlock to protect the palace.
The glass was clear and gathered light fine at all but the final minutes of dusk or earliest dawn. It has retained zero during despite numerous firing. More so it stayed on zero after I knocked it over and it landed square on the scope.
I think Simmon is fine if you are plinking or playing with a rimfire or the blackpowder as I am. The low price Simmons are fine for a fun, or non critical peice of equipment I have shot some rifles with Altec's on them and have really like the scope but I not going to put a $39 Simmons on my Ruger Mark II VT.
I guess the moral of the story is don't use a 99 cent masterlock to protect the palace.
1happyshooter
New member
For what it is worth, WalMart is discontinuing their Leupold sales due to return problems (too many). Odd.
My thoughts are you get what you pay for, hopefully a little more. There is also a law of diminishing returns. I used to think weaver was a great value in scopes, but their new warranty policy (hassle- prove there is a problem rather than we'll check it out type thing plus service charges (reasonable shipping & handling)). I recently sold both my weaver grand slams over the warranty issue and 3 classics. They were working fine, but if I ever had a problem I didn't want to be looking for a receipt after 10 years. I do not even look at weavers now when considering a scope. I also used to think Millett was a great value, but have written them off due to the fakes/warranty problems. I am a burris fan myself: great product, great value, and great warranty.
Nikon has been good as well, and everybody loves leupold. My thoughts are to get a lower end scope from the better companies instead of the best of the bottom. JMO.
My thoughts are you get what you pay for, hopefully a little more. There is also a law of diminishing returns. I used to think weaver was a great value in scopes, but their new warranty policy (hassle- prove there is a problem rather than we'll check it out type thing plus service charges (reasonable shipping & handling)). I recently sold both my weaver grand slams over the warranty issue and 3 classics. They were working fine, but if I ever had a problem I didn't want to be looking for a receipt after 10 years. I do not even look at weavers now when considering a scope. I also used to think Millett was a great value, but have written them off due to the fakes/warranty problems. I am a burris fan myself: great product, great value, and great warranty.
Nikon has been good as well, and everybody loves leupold. My thoughts are to get a lower end scope from the better companies instead of the best of the bottom. JMO.